Kazakhstan and Russia are allies and strategic partners within the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union. Kazakhstan was one of the initiators of regional economic integration - an important project to increase the confidence between neighboring countries.

The growing role of Astana as a platform to discuss the most pressing problems of the international security, in particular regarding the so-called Astana process on Syria, where Russia plays one of main roles, gives additional significance to bilateral relations.

A high degree of confidence between the leaders of the two countries is also an important factor of regional stability and cooperation.

At the same time, a number of important issues for both sides - solidarity in international organizations, reforms in culture and education, mutual information openness and competitiveness - require careful, friendly and confidential discussion between Moscow and Astana. was held in Astana in May 2017, should continue.

This year the main topics of the event will be the following: transformation of the global agenda in politics and economy; state of Eurasian integration and the most priority areas for its development or reforms; views of Moscow and Astana on the new global and regional ambitions of China; dynamics and prospects of the United States’ role in Eurasia; role of Kazakhstan in multilateral cooperation in Central Asia.

About 30 experts from Russia and Kazakhstan will take part in the forum, including Andrey Bystritskiy, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support Fund of the Valdai Discussion Club; Timofei Bordachev, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club, Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies of the Higher School of Economics; Georgy Toloraya, Executive Director of the Russian National Committee on BRICS Research, Director of the Center for Asian Strategy at the Institute of Economics, Russian Academy of Sciences; Ivan Safranchuk, Associate professor at the MGIMO University and Higher School of Economics; Yerlan Karin, Chairman of the Board of JSC Republican Television and Radio Corporation Kazakhstan, member of the expert council under the Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Anuar Ayazbekov, Director of the Institute of Diplomacy. Institute of Diplomacy of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Nursultan Ahmedia, Director of the Parasat Institute for System Research.